It’s easy to believe in the things we can see. But what about the things we can’t? Does our lack of vision mean they are not there?
The Gospel of John tells us the story of doubting Thomas. Because Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus came to them following His resurrection, it was difficult for Thomas to believe they had truly seen the Savior. “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe,” John | 20:25.
Blind belief requires faith.
Blind belief requires us to have faith. Faith requires us to trust in things unseen. That is hard. We are arrogant by nature, though we are called to be humble.
We are like Thomas. We want tangible proof before we allow ourselves to accept what is. How often in my life I have neglected to acknowledge truth simply because the proof I thought I needed was not there. Or so I believed.
Jesus’ response to Thomas when He appeared and Thomas finally saw Him with his own eyes says it all. “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” John | 20:29.
We are called to believe.
We are called to have blind belief, to see and know with our hearts rather than with our eyes.
We are given many opportunities in our lives to demonstrate our faith. To trust that God is indeed who He says He is.
Yet, it is often only in our moments of struggle and pain that we remember He is even there. We call out to Him in those moments because we are overwhelmed. In our fear and in our despair, we seek Him willingly.
We pray for a miracle, but only believe if the miracle becomes readily evident. What about all the times we are spared from heartache we didn’t even know was there? Or, removed from danger we weren’t aware was upon us?
Aren’t those miracles too?
We value our human senses above our spiritual ones.
Whatever value we place on our bodily senses and emotions to inform and enlighten us is counter to the spiritual senses God has placed within us.
God calls us to move past those human qualities and to move into blind belief. That means we must move beyond our humanness and to trust Him fully. “Blessed are they that have NOT seen, and yet have believed,” John | 20:29.
As Christians, trusting in God’s word is the cornerstone of our faith. It’s the rock we stand on. The shelter in the storm and the light in the wilderness.
Moreover, it is our assurance that God is with us no matter what is happening around us. He celebrates our joys and comforts us through our tribulations. That is His promise, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” Matthew | 11:28.
God deserves our blind belief.
God deserves our blind belief and absolute trust. He demonstrates His care for us in ways great and small.
God understands how fragile our faith is. He knows the wickedness that exists in the world. Yet, even in that He has not abandoned us. He revealed just how dearly He loves us by sending His Son to die for our salvation.
That is the greatest miracle of all.
We are called to live by trusting God’s Word and believing His promises, not because of what we see or what we feel, but because we KNOW.
Why do you worry?
Give into doubt?
Hold on to despair?
When I’ve promised My faithfulness,
that I’m always near?
Why do you struggle?
Give into weakness?
Hold on to your fear?
When I’ve offered My peacefulness,
and mercy sincere?
Why do you question?
Give into anger?
Hold on to this world?
When I’ve guaranteed shelter,
through every storm?
O, ye of small faith,
will you not believe,
unless you’ve seen with your own eyes,
the miracle you seek?
O, ye of small hope,
do you not know,
that each moment is gifted,
each life breath bestowed.
In the darkness,
I heard every one of your cries.
In the tempest,
I lifted you above the tides.
In the desert,
I walked the vast sands beside you.
And when you faltered,
it was my arms that carried you through.
JN Fenwick (© 2023) | mothjournal14
Lord, I humbly pray for blind belief. Open my spiritual eyes to Your goodness. Help me see and know You with my heart so that I remain faithful to You always. Strengthen my trust in You and in Your word, so that I may fulfill Your plans for me in this life and live with You forever in the life to come. Amen.
JN Fenwick (© 2023)